Does ANYONE know what the President's first name is ?? I only see Graham and President Graham on the pages dedicated to his character, but surely that's not his first name – or Ashley's surname wouldn't be Graham. Right ??
Chapter 6. Double Agents
"Hide behind the couch." Leon instructed to his charge, and she did as she was told – as best as she could on unsteady legs, anyways. When she was crouched out of sight, he approached the door in silence, gun raised. He didn't have friends outside of his work, and none of those were close enough to warrant a friendly visit. They didn't even know where he lived. As for neighbors, he'd never met them, least of all spoken to any of them. So who could it be ?
He waited a moment before looking through the peephole…and saw a face he hadn't expected to see. A bodyguard he'd seen hovering around an important figure in the president's entourage – not just anyone, but the president's right hand man. He opened the door just a smidge, letting the safety chain hang between them. "Mr. Kennedy." Said the uninvited guest as soon as their eyes met. "My name is John Chang, and I'm Alec Thompson's –"
"I know who you are, and who your charge is. What I want to know is why you're here." Leon wasn't usually the rude type, but he was on edge and didn't know who he could trust – or what the level of threat was.
"There's no need to be on the defensive, Mr. Kennedy. I can assure you Mr. Thompson is not your enemy – or Ms. Graham's, which is why he needs to see you both at once."
Leon could read between the lines. What he was really saying was that the president's closest confidante was aware of what had happened, and he probably knew what was going on with the D.S.O – not to mention the reason why the president was suddenly radio silent. He didn't like the thought of having Ashley move anywhere in the state she was, but if a figurehead as important as Alec Thompson was going out of his way to meet them, something serious was going on. "Give me a minute." He said before closing the door on his fellow bodyguard.
Ashley peeked over the couch, and for a split second, Leon thought of how adorable she looked doing that – before his mind turned to more professional topics again. "Who was that ?" She asked, grimacing as she heaved herself onto her feet.
"Mr. Thompson's bodyguard."
"You mean Alec Thompson's ?" He nodded. "What does he want ?"
"He says Mr. Thompson wants to see us right away. His bodyguard's waiting for us outside."
"I've met him multiple times growing up – he's one of my dad's closest friends. I'm sure my dad sent him." The idea seemed logical, but before they went anywhere…Leon went to get Ashley's shoes, and knelt down in front of her to help her feet into them. "W-Wait, you don't have to –" But it was too late, he was already done. It was getting fresher as summer drew closer to autumn, so he proceeded to wrap one of his jackets around her shoulders. Something light enough that she wouldn't sweat, but hot enough that she wouldn't catch a cold.
"Thanks." She muttered, her cheeks rosy. He tried not to notice how cute she looked in his oversized clothes, failed, and ignored the observation as he bent down, his back to her.
"Climb up."
"What ?" She exclaimed, startled.
"Ashley, every step you take makes you wince. You're in no state to walk. Besides, it'll be faster this way." There was a moment of silence – and Leon considered sweeping her off her feet if she wasn't going to listen, but suddenly a soft weight pressed into his back. He tried not to focus on the sensation and grabbed her legs, hoisting her up.
"I didn't know you were this bossy…" She grumbled into his ear.
"I learned from the best." He smirked, and he knew without looking that he'd earned himself a pout. Good. He'd see her pouting over being sick or panicking any day.
John Chang took in their position as Leon carried Ashley out of the apartment, locking the door behind them. "Are you well, Ms. Graham ?" Though the words were more polite than anything else, he could sense a hint of concern behind them.
"I'm okay. And you are…?" She replied meekly.
"My apologies. My name is John Chang – Mr. Thompson's personal bodyguard. Would you like a hand in carrying Ms. Graham to the vehicle ?" He asked, addressing Leon.
"I'm good." He answered, tightening his hold on her. He didn't like that both his hands were occupied – as it would be an issue if someone ambushed them, but their companion was probably more than capable of stepping in, and besides…Leon felt better this way.
The half-Caucasian, half-Chinese man nodded. "Then please follow me."
…
It wasn't long before they reached the politician's residence, which was just as well-guarded as the president's estate. His house – if that's what you could call it, looked like it was once a manor that had been accommodated into something more modern, while still keeping the old look. Not that Leon knew anything about architecture.
Alec Thompson was waiting for them at the entrance of the wide double-doors, holding his signature black cane. He was a good ten or so years older than the president, giving him a more grizzled look. Leon kept his eyes on him the entire time as he helped Ashley out of the car, before taking her across his back once more.
"Welcome, welcome. It's good to see you again, Ms. Graham." Said the man, smiling under his bushy moustache.
"You too. I think I was sixteen the last time we saw each other face to face."
"That's right. You've become a beautiful young woman since. Graham must be very proud, though I wish our reunion was under better circumstances…" He said, looking at Ashley's pale face.
"What circumstances are those ?" Leon wondered out loud, attracting the politician's gaze.
"Let's go inside before we go into details, have Ms. Graham sit down." The man responded, and Leon nodded in agreement. He moved awfully fast despite his limping leg – a result of an operation gone bad, or so he'd heard in passing.
"Am I too heavy ?" Ashley suddenly whispered in his ear while they were going up a flight of marble stairs.
He couldn't help smiling. "No, you're just right."
Mr. Thompson led them to a living room that was at least four times the size of Leon's entire apartment, gesturing for them to sit on the antique-like sofas, shiny with dark red velvet. He helped Ashley down and then took a seat next to her, while their host sat across from them. "Please, help yourselves." He said. The short table between them was laden with sweet snacks and a cup of tea for everyone.
Ashley reached for her steaming cup, taking a sip of the tea. "I'd like to start off the conversation by, firstly, apologizing on the D.S.O's behalf for the regrettable incident you had to endure yesterday, Ms. Graham." Said the sixty years old man, appearing genuinely sorry.
"How do you know about that ?" She asked, lowering the cup.
"As one of the D.S.O's financial donors – and your father's trusted confidante, I have informants who keep me updated on the organization's going ons at all times. Your father is also aware of what happened, but he is currently being closely watched by people who do not have the country's best interest at heart, and is unfortunately unable to speak to you himself."
"I guess that's why I haven't been able to reach him." Leon said, and Thompson nodded.
"That's why I've had you come both come here, to pass a message on my friend's behalf. He would like you to move to another facility so that what happened never occurs again, at least until the likes of Derek Simmons is apprehended."
Leon and Ashley shared a look – hers wide-eyed, while his had turned somber. "What's he got to do with this ?" He already had his suspicions, but he asked anyway.
"Everything, Ms. Kennedy. He was the one who summoned Ms. Graham without authorization. He is also the protégé of the men who conspire against the president – people with enough power that we could not take action against him without suffering repercussions."
"So the D.S.O's just letting him run things, now ? What makes him so important anyway – how does he have so many allies ?"
"That's where my proposition comes in. You see, the president would have you both hide until this blows over – but the truth is, the government cannot act. We've been trapped in a corner with no way out, and we need help. We need to find out why this single individual has so much influence."
"…you want us to act as double agents." Leon inferred in a deadpan voice. Ashley glanced at him, then back at the older man.
He smiled. "You've guessed right, Mr. Kennedy. I want Ms. Graham to meet Derek Simmons – act the role of the patient who needs his help, and bait the information out of him. Find out what his intentions really are."
"Does…does my father know about this ?" Ashley spoke up for the first time in a few minutes.
"He does, though he doesn't agree, of course. You are his daughter and he loves you – but be that as it may, you might be the only one who can help us."
"Because of my condition, you mean ?" She said tightly.
"That's right. Although I am sorry to hear you are still not recovered, your condition puts you in a very unique position."
Leon scoffed, unable to help himself. "Ashley needs medical help – not to throw herself in the hands of danger." He had to restrain himself from shouting. How could he even ask her that, after everything she'd been through ?
"I agree," Thompson said pacifyingly. "And you are still free to choose as you please, Ms. Graham, but please think on this. Lives could be at risk."
" If I agreed…would there be any guarantee to my safety ?" Was she actually considering his proposition ?
The man gave her a sad look. "As I've said, the government is stuck in a hard place right now – your father most of all. What happened yesterday wouldn't have occurred if we'd had the power to stop it, but we don't. Only Mr. Kennedy will be able to intervene if something does happen." He added with a note of finality, "I understand if you choose not to take part in this. Say the word, and a car will take you to another facility where your condition will be studied properly, and you will be safe."
…
To say that Ashley was overwhelmed was an understatement. In twenty-four hours, she'd been told the Plaga was still inside her, had been tortured, suffered a panic attack – and now, her father's trusted friend was asking her to be a double agent to save the country. And to make things worse, she still felt like crap. No, she didn't just feel like crap – she was completely drained, which is why she didn't protest when Leon offered his back to her again.
For what it's worth, you wouldn't just be pretending to be Mr. Simmons' patient, at least not in part. Because he took such a keen interest in your case, there is no denying he is currently the most informed person on your condition, making him the most qualified to help you. Mr. Thompson had explained further.
I'll have to think about it, she'd told him without much enthusiasm, and he'd given her an ultimatum of two days to choose. Mr. Chang drove them back to the apartment complex, and Ashley leaned into the broadness of Leon's back as he carried her back to her temporary home.
She wanted to refuse, to say no, but she was also tired – not exactly in the best state of mind to make decisions. She couldn't exactly imagine wanting to go back to that cold lab with a potential madman, but her thoughts kept reverting back to her dad.
He was under a lot of pressure – and the way Mr. Thompson had made it sound, he was in the most danger out of everyone else. All thanks to a man whose motives no one knew…but she could find out, because against all odds, Ashley had caught Derek Simmons's attention. She held his interest, which gave her an advantage.
Ashley recalled how relieved her father had been when Leon had brought her back home from Spain. She'd never seen him like that, so moved to see her that he'd embraced her – regardless that she was smearing dirt and blood all over his pristine suit. And then she was mad at him again, because even though she'd just been kidnapped, he was off across the country, busy with being the people's leader instead of being with her, as her dad. She'd needed him, like she had most of her childhood, but as always he was gone.
But now…now he was trying to send her to another facility – trying to protect her in his own way, even though she was possibly the last person on earth capable of helping him…he was putting her first, because she was his daughter.
"Leon." She said when they were back in the privacy of his apartment, and he let her stand on her own two feet. "I think…I think I'm going to accept."
The brooding expression on her bodyguard's face only deepened at her words. "You can't mean that. Ashley, it's too risky ! You heard the guy – neither the government nor the D.S.O will be able to intervene if something happens again."
" You did." She retorted meekly, and his eyes softened almost instantly.
"But I wasn't able to prevent him from hurting you."
"So we'll be better prepared next time."
He narrowed his gaze at her. "Where is this suddenly coming from ?"
"Do you remember what you told me ?"
"What ?"
"You said, it's okay to be scared sometimes, but you should never run. You have to keep moving forward. Those were your words."
"Moving forward doesn't mean throwing yourself in the snake's nest."
"No, but I want to help my dad if I can. I don't want to run away. And besides…Mr. Thompson is right. Derek Simmons might just be the person most qualified to help me understand what's happening to my body."
"He also said they could find you a proper doctor after you've been reassigned to another facility."
"But Leon, what if the red eyes I saw are only the beginning ? What if it took the Plaga that long to wake up because there was only a remnant of it – and now that it has, I'm on a time limit ?"
He crossed his arms. "We're not discussing this. You've been through a lot – you're tired, and you need to rest."
"But –"
"Not buts. We're not talking about this till you've slept on it."
"…fine." She pouted, and she caught the corners of his mouth twitching, fighting a smile.
She let him guide her to the bedroom without protest, all the way to the bed where she plopped down. As soon as she did, the exhaustion hit her all at once, and she was fighting to keep her eyes open. The last thing she saw was Leon leaning over her as he tucked her in.
To be Continued…
